the stage for the first of three presidential debates. both candidates have spent most the cameras to prepare for tonight's debate. for governor romney, he has logged plenty of debate time during the gop primaries but he has not gone head-to-head the presidency untillnow. tonight's face-off will focus on domessic policy, including health care, the re of governments, and the number one issue on voters' minds, the economy. you can expect both candidates to have a say on the 8.1% of the unemployment rate and the national debt. keep in mind with early voting under way in 10 states already, many americans have already cast their ballots. still governor romney and presideet obama have plenty of opportunity to hurt or help their campaign in the next nine minutes. no cheering, no. now, the moderator, jim lehrer of pbs. >> good evening from maaness arena at the university of denver in denver colorado. i am jim lehrer of pbs news hour, and i welcome the new to the first of the 2012 presidential debates between president obama, the democratic nomine